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  #1  
Old 12-30-2004, 07:51 PM
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Question Help evaluating possible purchase...

I'm still looking to buy a used Mercedes (1981 - 1985 300 series) - for my daily commuter. Found one that I'm going to see tomorrow: 1983 300D with 111K miles and supposedly excellent condition... Asking $7,500

I spoke with the owner on the phone and he said that the car is in an excellent mechanical and cosmetic shape (supposedly a Florida car) - we'll see... When I asked he did say that the engine has a small oil leak but the transmission is smooth and the car was in excellent shape in every way.

I told him that the Kelly Blue Book on his car is about $2000, but he insisted that the car is worth a LOT more, so my question is this: assuming that the car is in great shape, what would be a 'fair' price range to consider for this car?! He didn't even want to consider anything in the $2K range...

Any help would be appreciated...

Thanks,
James

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Old 12-30-2004, 08:11 PM
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Was that trade in or retail? When selling or buying privately, I go by the middle of the 2. I had a woman selling a car that was a little more than retail. I asked her why I should pay more than a dealership would sell it for. Her answer was that her BF told her it was worth $X. I asked if her BF was going to pay that much for a car with no warranty whatsoever. I bought a car from the MB dealership and while something was being inspected, we found an exhaust leak. Unhappily they had to fix it. Now, if this was a private seller, it would be a taillight warranty or a 30/30 (30 feet or 30 seconds after your check clears, whichever comes first). The dealership has to certify that the car is roadworthy whereas I can sell you a POS that has bad brakes and a front end that is held together by bubble gum.

So, why should I pay you more than the book says it is worth? IOW, if I took out a loan, would the bank loan me that much money? Probably not. So, as far as I am concerned, you can keep that car. If it was Briana Banks, Jenna Jameson or Patrick Tera's car, I might go barter just to see them. Joe blow wanting $5500 more than retail? Not a chance.
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  #3  
Old 12-30-2004, 08:21 PM
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KBB went only as far back as 1984. With that mileage, the car in excellent condition should go for $1300. Retail is about $2000. I would never pay retail unless there was some specual reason like the upholstry has been totally redone or there was a new engine put in it or there was some cocain in the trunk. Like I said, how do I know that you don't have bad calipers or the car needs brake shoes and drums or what other work.

Also, there is an oil leak. Excellent rating means no problems exist and it is cosmetically sould.

Retail Value $2,050
The Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail Value is representative of dealers' asking prices and is the starting point for negotiation between a consumer and a dealer. This Suggested Retail Value assumes that the vehicle has been fully reconditioned and has a clean title history . This value also takes into account the dealers' profit, costs for advertising, sales commissions and other costs of doing business. The final sale price will likely be less depending on the vehicle's actual condition, popularity, type of warranty offered and local market conditions.
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  #4  
Old 12-30-2004, 08:31 PM
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$7500 can buy a much newer car like an early 90s 300D, for example. I suppose $7500 is an acceptable price for something you're going to keep for the rest of your life if it has complete documentation to prove a lot of recent major work; that is, it will need nothing for the next 5 years. If the seller wants $7500 for shiny paint, a clean interior and the potential to need a front suspension rebuild, transmission rebuild, AC system rebuild, new central locking reservoirs, etc. all in the next couple of years, he's nuts and you would be too for buying it at that price.

$7500 is not an outlanding figure per se, but you'll be much better off buying a decent 300D with 250K miles for $2000 and spending the $5500 difference to bring it up to snuff.

Sixto
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  #5  
Old 12-30-2004, 08:42 PM
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I agree with Sixto. I would suggest finding one with twice the mileage and for less than half the price. It will probably have most of things replaced and will still lots of life left in it, plus it won't hurt as much to spend some more money on it if needed than say if you paid $7500 for that guy's jalopy. I wouldn't waste any more time with that gold digger if I were you.
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Old 12-30-2004, 08:49 PM
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If you are going to even look at his car, why don't you drop a few bucks more and buy this?
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  #7  
Old 12-30-2004, 09:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aklim
If you are going to even look at his car, why don't you drop a few bucks more and buy this?
Hehe - very nice ride... if this was going to be our primary vehicle I would go for it... but I just need one for me that's dependable for daily use and frankly I don't want to go over $4K.
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  #8  
Old 12-30-2004, 09:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MercFan
Hehe - very nice ride... if this was going to be our primary vehicle I would go for it... but I just need one for me that's dependable for daily use and frankly I don't want to go over $4K.
For that car, unless something major has been done like a brand new engine or tranny, I wouln't go above the KBB retail price. Whatever he is smoking, please send me some.
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  #9  
Old 12-30-2004, 09:20 PM
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re the SDL on eBay -

What a liar! The only way you can spend "over $5K in original Mercedes-Benz engine and supsension upgrades and maintenance improvements" is to get a revised cylinder head and vacuum pump. WTF are maintenance improvements? And how is it possible that "This vehicle has been driven to it's "regulated" speed of over 140mph - certified." when the IP limits the engine to 4800-5100 rpm? It won't do more than 125mph unless you replace the differential or add an overdrive unit. And 35mpg? That's 190D territory.

I'm so upset that I'll start a new thread

That $7500 300D is very inviting after reading this ad.

Sixto
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  #10  
Old 12-30-2004, 10:09 PM
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Hello MercFan,

Prices will depend on local market rates. For my area (near San Francisco), that car you described would go for about $2,000. Six months ago I bought my '84 300D with 155k for $1,200. He initially wanted $3,500, but when I pointed to some light body damage, the need for brake work and the KBB value, I managed to talk him down. Your seller sounds WAY out there.

Last week I saw a '80 300SD with 130k miles for $3,500. It was beautiful. I had the guy talked down to $2,000 but I decided to back out (no room at home for a 4th car). This one is still available if you want to come to SF The good deals are out there. Be patient.

Theswe cars DO make excellent commuter cars. I put about 600 a week on mine.

Mark
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  #11  
Old 12-30-2004, 10:37 PM
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There was a 81 300D (N/A) that sat about a block from my work. Stopped by to look at it one day. Interior was so-so, paint was faded, though I couldn't find any rust (all observed from outside the car). Noticed it had manual windows, sunroof and A/C. Landlord showed up and stated it belonged to a tenant that had moved and he was trying to sell it for him. He didn't have any keys for it (tenant had lost them) either. I asked how much he wanted for it. He said $3000. I thanked him for his time, left and never looked back.

For $7500, I would expect the 300D to be in immaculate condition, about 50,000 miles and every last service record included with it. There are just to many very nice examples in the $1000 through $3000 range to even consider paying that much for that car without it meeting that criteria.
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  #12  
Old 12-31-2004, 12:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phantoms
For $7500, I would expect the 300D to be in immaculate condition, about 50,000 miles and every last service record included with it. There are just to many very nice examples in the $1000 through $3000 range to even consider paying that much for that car without it meeting that criteria.
Dude, that is $5500 over the KBB value of a dealership. I used Florida, where he was from to do a market value. Private party there is only $1300. If you want to charge me $5500 over what I can get at a dealership, you had best have a brand new engine in it at least, if not an engine and tranny.

I bought a car about $1000 under book value at a dealership. The owner was selling it there under consignment. It had every last service record there including a receipt from NAPA for a bulb and even a receipt when someone hit him and he did body work with a copy of the check.

For that much more over what a dealership sells it for and certainly over what a private party shold get, he'd better be sharing the drugs and the hookers in the back seat.
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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
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03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
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04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
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  #13  
Old 12-31-2004, 12:12 AM
Benster Tom
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That's a bit pricey, I'd have to see pics..At that price, the car should have NO rust. New suspension system, No oil leaks, Mostly all new parts, ie...water pump, vacuum pump, a/c compressor. You should have a new battery,and tires for that price. Your interior should be in good condition. Now if it's got a small leak and some of these aren't listed, then I might offer $3000. Better to start low and work up in price. Still would love to see the pics....make sure there is no rust though.
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  #14  
Old 12-31-2004, 01:32 AM
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Thanks for the tips...

Quote:
Originally Posted by 300SDLTOM
That's a bit pricey, I'd have to see pics...
If I make it there tomorrow I will post the picks for you all... THanks for the tips.

James
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  #15  
Old 12-31-2004, 07:30 AM
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If you get rear-ended at a stop light the insurance company will total the car and pay you about $1400. For the amount of money you are talking about you should get a collectible garage queen, not a daily driver.

I always ask a seller how they arrived at their asking price. When they say someone told them xxxxx. I ask them how much cash did they offer you for it? Talk is cheap. I second the advice to wait. I get my best deals asking a driver if they are ready to sell. If you see a car you like, ask the driver.

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